Valentino Achak Deng is an advocate for the right to universal education and sustainable development. Valentino grew up in Southern Sudan where he was separated from his family during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005). He then lived in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya for nine years where he received his education and began his public service
career. In 2001 he resettled to Atlanta and has since toured the US and Europe speaking about his life in Sudan, his experience as a refugee, and his collaboration with author Dave Eggers on “What Is the What”, the novelized version of Deng’s life story. In 2006, Deng and Eggers established the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation to help rebuild Sudanese
communities by increasing access to educational opportunities. The foundation’s focus is on quality education, vocational training, sustainable development, and girls’ education. Despite Deng’s hardships, he maintains an unwavering, positive outlook on South Sudan and believes the solution lies in increased education and knowledge of human rights and improved
economic opportunities.
For more information about the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation, please click here: http://www.vadfoundation.org/
The event is presented by PSU's University Studies and Pan-African Commons. PSU Co-sponsors include Global Diversity and Inclusion, School of Gender, Race, and Nations, Department of English and the Holocaust and Genocide Studies Project. Additionally co-sponsored by the Never Again Coalition.